A letter to the editor, Sept. 3, 2023, by Tom Eveslage, Professor of Journalism, Temple University.
Reprinted with permission.
Re: Jonathan Zimmerman on student media
A Thank You to Jonathan Zimmerman for his appropriate op-ed on the value of college newspapers.
I would like to put the message into a larger context. Zimmerman’s arguments could and should also be applied to high school publications. One can easily imagine restrictions placed on student journalists today in the many districts where zealous school boards are curtailing or dictating what teachers can teach and students can read or write about.
In defense of civics as it once was taught and valued, the student press has another friend. During almost 50 years protecting the free expression, the Student Press Law Center in Washington DC has worked with lawyers, legislators and professional journalists whose time and expertise have supported hundreds of young journalists and their publications.
Complementing FIRE’s contributions, the SPLC has led state-based activists striving to frame and pass New Voices laws in support of student expression. In March 2023, West Virginia became the 17th state with such legislation. And the SPLC (see www.splc.org) says 10 other states, including Pennsylvania, are working on such laws.
Student-press venues deserve encouragement and public support. What a shameful school or college environment it would be if our young citizens were shackled and forced to focus on what they can’t think or say or question.